Listeriosis outbreak traced to Polokwane

Another Enterprise factory, in Germiston, also tested positive for the Listeriosis bacteria, but the sequence type is still unknown.

A Rainbow Chicken facility in Sasolburg in the Free State is also being investigated for contamination.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the disease has so far claimed the lives of 180 people.

“We have interviewed 109 people infected to obtain details about the foods they had eaten in the month before falling ill. 93 people reported eating ready-to-eat processed meat products, of which polony was the most common followed by Vienna’s, sausages and other cold meats,” said Motsoaledi.

Production at all three factories has been suspended until investigations are concluded.

Motsoaledi says products that tested positive for Listeriosis and those that might be contaminated will be recalled.

The director-general of the Department of Trade and Industry, Lionel October, explained how government will deal with the situation.

The deputy commissioner of the Consumer Commission, Theza Mabuza, says manufacturers and suppliers are equally liable. 

Motsoaledi has advised consumers to take any polony or ready-to-eat meat products out of their fridges and pack them away until recall instructions have been issued.

He says the recall instructions are expected to be announced on Monday.